Digholes and their use.

[Craig72]

Hi everyone. I've read in a few threads about using digholes.

I know they are used with tunnels, but can someone please tell me how they work?

I've been reading Sawyer811's thread "The best way to kitbash an underground/below street level station" and think I may build some like it on the route I am building.

Thanks for any help.

Craig.

 

[oknotsen]

A dighole is nothing more then a hole in the baseboard. They are available in different sizes, but usually a 1x1 will do the job. It will remove the surface for a 10 by 10 meter block. You are stuck to the grid for that, so you basically have 72x72 options for that on a baseboard. Most digholes have some structure in them which is only visible in surveyor and makes it able for you to grab it and drag it to the location you need. Note that these structures are usually a bit below the surface so you might have to look into the dighole to see it.

The use is that you can now put tracks "into" the baseboard without it looking like the train will crash into a hill.

Hope this clears things up a bit.

 

[ish6]

Hi,

I have created dighole items, in that, if you place them it will cut a hole on the baseboard ....

Why? and thier use?

Ok -- instead of lowing the ground, (baseboards) it is easier, and it looks more clean, to just cut the boards with a dighole item, etc ... when that is done then I can place my reservoirs items (or any item you wish) which, by designed, is set to be below ground -- example:

Marsz-I Dighole Tool -20 1X1 v00 -- item that will create the hole ...
https://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=243850

and then I place this ....

Marsz-I Reservoirs v01 below ground
https://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=243805

See how the reservoir looks like it snap onto place?

Hope this helps
Regards
Ish

 

[bendorsey]

All digholes have at least one physical part. If you try to export a dighole from Gmax for example without at least one poly (triangular) part you get a "nothing to export" error.

Digholes can be difficult to delete because that "part" is probably quite small and a ways underground so keep clicking on the delete thingie with the cursor as close to the center of the dighole as you can get and you will (eventually) find it and delete the dighole.

In TS2012 you have the option of a 5 meter grid. This can cause serious problems with items having digholes built in since they are almost certain to be older content with 10 meter digholes.

Ben

 

[jrfolco]

On my website there is a Tunnel & Portal tutorial, showing the installation of digholes, that might clarify their use. Click on my sig below, and go to Tutorials.

Joe

 

[Craig72]

Hi all. thanks for the replies.

Joe, I'm get there slowly, I can get the track & train to go under the baseboard, but the track just sort of goes straight down no where near the tunnel entrance. I'll have to read your tutorial a few times before I get it right.

Craig.

 

[jordon412]

The dig hole can also be used with the 'ajs roundhouse' and '120 foot roundhouse' and reskins or modifications of them. Using the dig holes will reveal an inspection pit below each track. However, where the dig hole appears outside the roundhouse, you'll have to find something to cover it up.

 

[ray_whiley]

There are plenty of assets on the DS which will hide unwanted parts of digholes - I have made a few, planes and splines.

To delete a dighole, position your view vertically overhead. With the ajs examples, for instance, you will see a marker - if I remember correct, it is a white cross. Click on this with the delete tool, and the dighole will be filled in - ie. revert to the original baseboard surface.

Ray

 

[cascaderailroad]

Move tracks so that they are on center of a dighole.
Adjust th 4 corners of the dighole that they clear a train, or a tunnel portal:


Slide the tunnel portal into position, and lower it into exact placement:

 

[jrfolco]

Hi all. thanks for the replies.

Joe, I'm get there slowly, I can get the track & train to go under the baseboard, but the track just sort of goes straight down no where near the tunnel entrance. I'll have to read your tutorial a few times before I get it right.

Craig.

You may have a spline point set too high in reference to the other spline points, causing the track to drop below the baseboard. Make sure that all of the spline points are set to the same elevation. Check to see if you have accidentally added a grade causing the track to drop. Did you check 'Fixed Track Vertex Height' in 'Options'?

Joe

 

[Craig72]

Hi all. I have given up with digholes. I have done everything in Joe's tutorials, but am still not able to get them to work.

Thanks for all the help.

Craig.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Never give up ... conquer it !

You can PM me if you need help.

 

[Craig72]

You can PM me if you need help.

Thanks Cascade, but I'm going to cheat & have bought London Underground sim from Just Trains.

Craig.